Perth → Exmouth in 7 Days: Route, Budget & Must-Do Stops (One-Way vs Return)

Perth → Exmouth in 7 Days: Route, Budget & Must-Do Stops (One-Way vs Return)

Perth → Exmouth in 7 Days: Route, Budget & Must-Do Stops (One-Way vs Return)

Short version: 1,250–1,400 km of red cliffs, reef blues, and big-sky WA. Seven days is enough to taste the Turquoise Coast properly—if you keep the pace smart, chase mornings, and pick one or two hero experiences (whale sharks, mantas, or a kayak-camp night under the stars). If you’d rather sit back and let a pro handle logistics, scan All Tours or jump straight to Australasian Adventures.

Woman jumping on sand dunes under blue sky during West Coast Road Trip from Perth to Exmouth. Outdoor fun in Pinnacles Desert.

The 60-Second Cheat Sheet

  • Best windows: Apr–Jun (whale sharks), Aug–Oct (humpbacks), May–Oct (prime snorkeling/kayak).

  • Trip shape: One-way Perth → Exmouth with a flight back = more time in Ningaloo. Return adds driving and flexibility for side trips.

  • Where time disappears (happily): Kalbarri coastal cliffs, Shark Bay detours, Coral Bay lagoon, Cape Range gorges and beaches.

  • Budget drivers: Tours (your “big ticket” day), vehicle/fuel, stays, park passes.

  • Pro move: Book the hero experience first (dates matter), then build the road days around it.

Map Your Week (One-Way Itinerary)

Day 1 — Perth → Cervantes/Jurien (Pinnacles warm-up)
Cruise north, stretch the legs in Nambung’s otherworldly limestone. Sunset dunes, early dinner, early night.

Day 2 — Jurien → Kalbarri (Coastal cliffs & Skywalk)
Stop at the Kalbarri coastal lookouts (Natural Bridge, Island Rock). Golden hour at the Skywalk. Short gorge stroll if time allows.

Day 3 — Kalbarri → Denham/Monkey Mia (Shark Bay detour)
Red-on-blue vistas, shell-strewn shallows, calmer vibe. Keep an eye on the clock; distances are honest out here.

Day 4 — Denham → Coral Bay (First hit of Ningaloo)
Aim to arrive early arvo. Slip into the lagoon for an effortless drift snorkel; beach-to-reef living at its best.

Day 5 — Coral Bay → Exmouth (Cape Range & reef edge)
Roll north, then decide: reef day (snorkel/kayak) or gorge day (Yardie Creek walk, turquoise-meets-ochre views). Chase a west-side beach sunset.

Day 6 — Exmouth (Hero Experience Day)
Lock your “big one” here—whale sharks (Apr–Jun), mantas (year-round, especially Coral Bay), or humpback swims (Aug–Oct). Prefer your wild with a paddle? Look for a kayak-camp or glassy morning kayak session. Browse options in Australasian Adventures.

Day 7 — Buffer + Fly Out
Keep this as a weather buffer or a final snorkel before flying from Learmonth. No rush: morning ocean, midday pack, afternoon flight.

Rather someone else drive? Filter for West Coast itineraries in All Tours or use the Find Your Adventure Style quick-fit to match comfort and pace.

Must-Do Stops (Choose 4–6, not 12)

  • Pinnacles at golden hour: easy, surreal, zero fuss.

  • Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs: short walks, sea stacks, wind-sculpted sandstone.

  • Murchison River / Kalbarri Gorges: Skywalk views; short gorge loops for leg-wake-up.

  • Shark Bay detours: calm, shallow blues; keep it simple to protect time.

  • Coral Bay lagoon: park-and-snorkel perfection; mellow first taste of Ningaloo.

  • Cape Range gorges + beaches: Yardie Creek, Turquoise Bay drift, Oyster Stacks (tide-aware).

  • Hero wildlife day: whale sharks (Apr–Jun), humpbacks (Aug–Oct), mantas (year-round, esp. Coral Bay).

Humpback whale swimming near surface during West Coast Road Trip from Perth to Exmouth. Whale watching experience in Ningaloo Reef.

One-Way vs Return (Which Should You Pick?)

One-Way (Perth → Exmouth, fly back)

  • Pros: More time “in” Ningaloo, fewer back-to-back long drives, easier to lock a hero experience.

  • Cons: Vehicle drop fees can bite; flight timing dictates Day 7.

  • Who it suits: Wildlife-first travellers, photographers, anyone counting ocean hours not highway hours.

Return (Loop back to Perth)

  • Pros: Flexible timing, extra viewpoints, potential to add inland detours if extending beyond 7 days.

  • Cons: Two more drive days means less water time in a strict 7-day plan.

  • Who it suits: Road-trip purists and families who prefer familiar bases on the way back.

Not sure? Let the Find Your Adventure Style quiz nudge you toward the right rhythm—or browse curated options in Australasian Adventures.

Budget: Where the Money Actually Goes

  • Your “big ticket” day: Expect premium pricing for whale shark or humpback swims; manta/snorkel/kayak days are typically gentler on the wallet. Choose one must-do and one nice-to-have.

  • Vehicle & fuel: Long highway legs; good tyres and a sensible pace beat rushing and refuelling stress.

  • Stays: Mix of motels, cabins, camps; shoulder-season dates = better value.

  • Parks & gear: WA parks passes + any snorkel/kayak bits you don’t already own.

  • Food: Keep breakfasts simple; save dinners for sunset moments.

Save smart, not sad: self-cater 1–2 nights; pick one hero wildlife day instead of three; book shoulder dates; drive mornings, swim afternoons.

Safety & Timing (Read This Bit)

  • Wind pattern: Calm mornings are your ocean friends; plan paddles/snorkels early.

  • Distance honesty: It’s a big state. Start earlier than you think and build buffer time for “wow, we’re stopping again” moments.

  • Heat & hydration: Even outside summer, the sun is real. Wide-brim hat, zinc, long-sleeve rashie—no heroes here.

  • Leave no trace: The reef is robust and delicate all at once— fin awareness, reef-safe sunscreen, and drift with care.

If You’d Rather Tour Than Drive

Love the route but not the logistics? Filter for small-group West Coast tours in All Tours or browse Australasian Adventures. You’ll get the same wild moments—minus the admin and long-haul driving.

Curious how bookings restore landscapes? The plain-English explainer lives at How It Happens.

Handy Links (for readers who skim)

Friends raising hands at sunset on rocky beach during West Coast Road Trip. Scenic coastal moment in Western Australia.